Printing Instructions: ABS or PET is preferred for durability. Bed must be leveled and printer adjusted to produce good single layer prints. Measurement and calibration of your filament is highly recommended. Use.15mm layer height, 30% infill, with 2 outer perimeters. Designed to print with 0.5mm or smaller nozzle. Orient model so that first layer infill is printed parallel to the span of the wings. Diagonal infill in the wings will result in a model that will not easily fly straight. Your first layer should look something like this. Pre assembly: Check all printed parts, removing any excess material or artifacts. Assembly: After cleaning the printed parts, test fit any interlocking pieces, trimming as needed for a snug fit.
If your model comes with a separate launch hook and canopy, carefully insert the hook into the canopy. Check to be sure which way the hook goes in so that the canopy will be facing with the front forward, and cement with a drop of glue. Set the canopy / hook assembly aside for now. Use a spatula or similar tool to carefully lift the print from the print bed. The wings are easily damaged by bending during removal. A printable one may be included in your download. If your model has a dihedral joint, test clamp the joint, checking that the wings come up evenly. Similarly, check the v-tail joint if so equipped. To glue the dihedral joint, use a drop of super glue between the wing root halves and the center fuselage structure while clamping the fuselage together, raising the wingtips to their dihedral position. Clamp and glue non - snap dihedral joints if so equipped. Pliers or forceps work well.
For a v tail, glue the stabilizers in their upright positions. Both halves should be evenly raised. For a glue in rudder, insert and glue. A drop of glue in the forward part of the elevator is needed on the jet type models to hold the tail in during launch. For a snap in rudder just insert it, checking that the fit is secure. Some snap fit rudders can be adjusted to change the elevator setting of the glider. A snap fit rudder. Do not glue this type of rudder in place. If your glider has latch up elevators, set them to the up and locked position. A dab of glue will keep them from popping loose during rough landings. Insert your canopy / hook assembly into the fuselage, securing with a drop of super glue once it is correctly placed.
Elevators up and locked! Some planes have latch - up elevators. If yours has these, the plane wont fly right unless they are locked in the flight position. A dab of glue can keep them up, or you can check them before each flight.
Insert the hook into the canopy, and any locking tabs on the rudder (if provided) into their respective slots.
Flight: Before flight check your glider for straightness, damage, or any surfaces out of place. Check your plane for straightness, warping, or alignment issues. Your plane will not fly correctly if any surfaces are warped or assymetrical. Your glider can fly more than 35 kilometers an hour. It can loop back around and strike the pilot. You should wear eye protection when testing or flying your glider. Other than that, don't fly your airplane inside or towards someone, and keep in mind that free flight gliders can turn unpredictably.
V-Tail and Jet type (no dihedral) adjustment instructions: For normal adjustments, very little bend is required - usually so little that it is barely visible. Take care to not crease or damage the plastic during adjustment. If your model can be hand launched and you have glider throwing experience, it is recommended to start with hand launching. If not launched perfectly straight, the glider will turn to one side, or even flip over. Your glider is equipped with a launch hook. Using a rubber band, launch the glider by holding the tail while pulling back on the band against the hook, angling the plane upwards at about 15 degrees. Start small, adjust, then try bigger flights. A launching stick can be helpful, and a printable one is included in your download.
Bend carefully. Shown here is the proper method of bending without creasing. Do not bend too far, or you will damage your plane. If the model pitches up, add some weight to the nose or bend the trailing edge of both stabilizers slightly downward. If the model pitches down, bend the trailing edge of both stabilizers slightly upward. To cause a right turn or stop a left turning tendency, gently bend the right stabilizer down and the left stabilizer up. (viewing the model from the rear, as if you were the pilot) Adjust in the opposite direction to turn left or counteract a right turning tendency. Standard tail adjustment instructions: For normal adjustments, very little bend is required - usually so little that it is barely visible. Take care to not crease or damage the plastic during adjustment. If the model pitches up, add some weight to the nose or bend the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizers slightly downward. If the model pitches down, bend the trailing edge of both horizontal stabilizers slightly upward.
To cause a right turn or stop a left turning tendency, gently bend the trailing edge of the rudder to the right. (viewing the model from the rear, as if you were the pilot) Adjust in the opposite direction to turn left or counteract a right turning tendency. The wingtip ailerons can also be bent slightly to correct any rolling tendency. The jet type gliders sometimes respond better to tuning using the instructions for Vtail gliders. For more cool gliders and books on designing and printing functional objects, go to threedsy.com and see the latest designs!